Non RED audio cables have a hotter signal.

[Ed Watkins]

I'm not sure if this has been discussed before, I had the opportunity to test some 3rd party XLR - TA3M cables against the RED made ones in a sound studio.

The 3rd party cables are noticeably hotter. Which is definitely something to watch out for.

Reading the sound devices review of the RED confirms this:
http://www.sounddevices.com/notes/cameras/red-one/

"The Red Camera is supplied with short XLR-to-TA3 adapter cables. These cables have resistors built-in to change impedance and reduce signal level. When used without these cables, the Red inputs can be characterized as “-10″ level (full scale on the meter = +8.2 dBu) with 600 ohm input impedance."

So my question is why do the RED cables have the resistors, and what is the real world effect of them on the audio? What disadvantages will a client have if they use a 3rd party cable?

 

[Greg M]

there is a problem internally with the Red that requires the use of the Red supplied cable. Hopefully this will be rectified in newer bodies and a hardware update will be offered at a later date.

For now be sure to use only the Red cable and its not an issue.

 

[Ed Watkins]

there is a problem internally with the Red that requires the use of the Red supplied cable. Hopefully this will be rectified in newer bodies and a hardware update will be offered at a later date.

For now be sure to use only the Red cable and its not an issue.

Hi, thanks!

Any one know what the issue is?

Edit:
I just spoke with my RED rep, and he told me the issue is with phantom power.
You have to use the RED cables with phantom power enabled.

 

[J. Eric Camp]

Also, the red's native audio level input is hot. This native level left you very little room for head room. Therefor your sound clipped faster.

So use the red cables and gain 10db to your headroom.

Come on... do it.